Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, Professor Sonni Tyoden says virtual normalcy has returned to the institution after last weekend’s disturbance occasioned by the attack on some students by hoodlums.
Addressing journalists on Monday, he confirmed that a total of 19 students were injured, 16 from gun shots and three from stab wounds, describing the attack on the students as unprovoked and unfortunate. He said
from records available to management of the institution no student was killed contrary to reports in some quarters.
Tyoden said management is liaising with security agencies to secure the university and that a sizeable number of security men are now guarding the institution. He said management reviewed the security situation and resolved that it is conducive for lectures to resume by Thursday (February 3).
He said a good number of the injured students have been discharged from hospital while the others are responding to treatment.
He added that efforts were on to repair the broken down students’ buses to convey them from one campus to the other to reduce their vulnerability to attack adding that an arrangement is being worked out with the state-owned transport company to provide shuttle service along the routes used by students pending the repair of the school buses.
The vice chancellor said the institution has maintained a cordial relation with communities in the state and wondered why her students would be targets of attack by anybody.
He said it is unfortunate that Jos, a city known for peace and tranquility has turned into a theatre of violence stressing the need for all to be broad-minded and avoid artificial divisions that generate unnecessary animosity.
He advised government to be pro-active in handling the security situation in the state and to release and implement the reports of inquiries into previous crises in the state.
Violence erupted in the university on Friday last week following the stabbing of some students by hoodlums at the gate of the institution. A protest by the students turned violent as members of the Special Task Force (STF) maintaining security in the city allegedly shot into them injuring 14. Two others were shot on Saturday as the protest continued.
